Berlin (part 2)

Our first time in Berlin we stayed in the old West Berlin. This time we stayed at a hostel in the old East Berlin. There is a striking difference and maybe oddly I prefer the eastern side. It is a bit more gritty and younger. It is like a jigsaw puzzle of new and old weaved together by graffiti. A street lined with cafes and bars with outdoor tables packed so closely it is hard to determine which cafe you are sitting down to will have a building that looks like it was just put up, next to a building were only the cracks along the base give away its age, and next to that a building that looks almost the same as it did since the war, dark and gray with half of its facade gone and old brick underneath showing and signs of smoke still surrounding the windows. On all the buildings beautiful graffiti art mingles with simple tagging, broken up by posters new to years old.

Sobering moments broke up our stroll when coming upon synagogues with guards and men who look like the secret service outside who quickly stop anyone who comes with in two feet of the building or a high and thick walled Jewish cemetery with a security system of cameras, gates and guard houses. Around these it seemed even the locals stopped chatting and everything was silent.

To end the day, on our way back to the hostel we noticed streets being blocked off by police and a helicopter hovering in the distance. Enough experience has taught me that this means a happy and festive occasion or a protest. Curiosity has not bitten me enough in life so we trucked it towards the helicopter.

We came up to a protest and not seeing Bush or America on any of the signs and the punk style dress of the crowd, we felt safe enough to walk along side of it till we got to the middle. There were a few times of having to dodge fighting or riot police but it was really interesting to see the differences and similarities between this and protests at home.

I think it was a fitting end to the day and oddly an uplifting one too. While protesting sadly I don't think will ever put an end to war, oppression or discrimination, it does mean that there are always those who are willing to speak out for others and help others when it is needed.